Milestone #1: Kira Character Design

7 comments:

Chelsea, I like how her final design came out, and how you dealt with the problem of her walking stick. I like this version. I also like how she's wearing blue, and the limited color palette definitely matches the story. The only thing I can suggest is that maybe she's not leaning enough weight on her walking stick. Changing the angle of the walking stick might help? Other than that little detail, I really like this design.

I think the aesthetic you're going for is interesting, but I think for some reason it's working more in the sketched version of that pose than in the final version. Something about her face just seems to work better. Also I'm liking that sketch version's pose more. On the final one, it took me a little while to realize it was a crutch. I think it was a walking stick. Maybe if you indicated the contact between the clothing and the crutch more, like the fabric curving around the crutch's surface or a fold or something like that it would read more immediately. Also I like that both hands are propping her up in the sketch.

I like the silhouette you chose for this character. I'm not exactly sure why she would have poofy pants (i'm assuming this doesn't take place in the middle east) but i think they are an interesting style choice. I would recommend making them feel like they are actually draped over her legs. right now it feels like someone pumped air into them. i think referencing your sketches and trying to keep that same gestural feel and shape would benefit your drawing greatly. (if you didn't use reference, i think this could be easily shot by putting on some baggy sweats and tying them off at the knee) also, one more thing. Her left calf looked a little odd at first and i think it's because it's so straight. A slight curve to indicate some muscle mass would help a lot. other than that, i love her overall design. i'm excited to see what else you put out.

Great job Chelsea, I like your character silhouettes my two favorite are the last two on the end. I like the baggy pants on the colored version, but comparing them to your silhouettes I feel like some of the character expression is lost.

I like the sketch version, it seems like having a model will help get her looking like she is really leaning on the crutch for support; right now it looks like she just kind of has a crutch.

The colors are reading kind of drab, which I'm assuming they are supposed to. She has the feel that she is from a slums/junky place (if I remember correctly, that really is where she's from, right?) so that is reading well.

I'm not sure what her left hand is doing in the final painting. In your sketch, she's gripping the staff. I don't like the baggy pants. I like seeing her wobbly knees. It helps that fact that she's crippled and poor read better. Also, the crotch looks way to low. It looks like she wouldn't be able to walk. If you keep the poofy pants, I say work on rendering out the folds, add some texture, raise the crotch, and tone done the overall poofiness.

Going in a good direction and the drawing feels solid. Costume feels a bit generic, and the face loses something in the color rendering. Maybe downplay the nose or make it smaller and try to emphasize the eyes a bit more. Also the fabric of the scarf & pants need more distinctive shape-character. I’ll try to paint over this to show you what I mean.